We know much of Dickinson´s life through her correspondences. She maintained a lifelong correspondence with Susan Dickinson, even though they were next-door neighbors. This correspondence, preserved by Susan, is the source for many of the poet´s manuscripts. But Emily Dickinson also corresponded with school friends, with her cousins Fanny and Loo Norcross, and with several people of letters, including Samuel Bowles, Dr. and Mrs. J.G. Holland, T.W. Higginson, and Helen Hunt Jackson. The central events, then, of Dickinson´s life are those that are central to the life of most writers: she wrote. She compiled a manuscript recorded of 1.775 poems, along with many letters. In or around 1858 she began to keep manuscript books of her poetry, the "fascicles", hand-produced and hand-bound. In the early 1860s she produced hundreds of poems each year. In 1864 and 1865, failing eyesight, which impelled her to make two extended visits to Cambridge, Massachusette for medical treatment, slowed her production of manuscipt books. But her production of manuscripts continued at a slower pace until her last illness in 1885-86. Though she wrote hundreds of poems, Dickinson never published a book of poetry. The few poems published during her lifetime were anonymous. The reasons why she never published are still unclear. A myth promoted by William Luce´s play The Belle of Amherst (1976) is that Higginson discouraged her writing. However, it is propably not the case that Dickinson met with rejection from the literary world. For one thing, Higginson was instrumental in getting her poetry published soon after her death, suggesting, that her reluctance and not his disapproval was the barrier to him doing this earlier. Also, both Bowles and Hunt Jackson arranged for anonymous publication of individual poems by Dickinson during the poet´s lifetime. At Hunt Jackson´s suggestion, Thomas Niles of Roberts Brothers publishing house tried to get the poet to submit a volume of poems for publication in 1883; she declined.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- SAMUEL DICKINSON AND “THE HOMESTEAD”
- 1800 SAMUEL FOWLER DICKINSON
- 1813 THE HOMESTEAD
- 1821 - THE FOUNDING OF AMHERST COLLEGE
- THE FAMILY
- NORTH PLEASANT STREET RESIDENCE
- RETURN TO THE “HOMESTEAD”
- THE PRODUCTIVE YEARS
- EMILY BECOMES A RECLUSE
- "CALLED BACK"
- THE “RENAISSANCE”
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to provide a biographical overview of Emily Dickinson's life, placing her within the context of her family, community, and the historical period. It explores the development of her poetic career, her relationships with key figures, and the eventual recognition of her work.
- Emily Dickinson's life and family history
- The influence of her upbringing and community on her life and work
- Dickinson's poetic career and its development
- Dickinson's relationships with significant people in her life
- The posthumous recognition of Dickinson's literary contributions
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter provides a concise overview of Emily Dickinson's life, highlighting key biographical details such as her birth, death, family, and religious affiliation. It establishes her family's prominent position in Amherst society and mentions her education and the unique circumstances of her life as a woman in the 19th century. The chapter introduces the central paradox of Dickinson's life: her reclusive nature juxtaposed with her prolific writing career. The focus is on the context of Dickinson’s life rather than her poetry itself.
SAMUEL DICKINSON AND “THE HOMESTEAD”: This chapter focuses on Emily Dickinson's grandfather, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, emphasizing his significant contributions to the town of Amherst. It details Samuel's legal career, his founding of Amherst Academy, his role in establishing Amherst College, and the construction of the Dickinson Homestead. The chapter highlights Samuel's influence on the family and the community, providing historical context for Emily's life. It describes the Homestead’s importance as a central location in the Dickinson family's history.
THE FAMILY: This section delves into the structure and dynamics of the Dickinson family. It details the lives of Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson, their children (Austin, Emily, and Lavinia), and their involvement in the Amherst community. The chapter touches upon the family's social standing, religious beliefs, and the roles of each family member within the household. It emphasizes the family's impact on Emily's life and development as a writer. The close family unit sets the backdrop for Emily's later reclusiveness.
NORTH PLEASANT STREET RESIDENCE: This chapter discusses the period when the Dickinson family resided on North Pleasant Street, highlighting Emily's attendance at Amherst Academy and Mount Holyoke Seminary. It explores her educational experiences and their influence on her intellectual and personal growth. The chapter lays the groundwork for her later life by focusing on the formative years of her education and their impact on her poetic development.
RETURN TO THE “HOMESTEAD”: This chapter narrates the Dickinson family's return to the Homestead in 1855. It discusses the significance of this move, the marriage of Austin Dickinson, and the construction of "The Evergreens" next door. The chapter highlights the social interactions and relationships within the extended family, providing insight into the social and familial environment that surrounded Emily during her adult life and her writing career. The return to the homestead signifies a significant period in Emily's life and establishes the context of her later years.
THE PRODUCTIVE YEARS: This chapter focuses on Emily Dickinson's most prolific period as a writer. It discusses the influence of the Civil War and important figures such as Charles Wadsworth, Thomas Higginson, and Samuel Bowles on her life and work. It explains the significance of her extensive correspondence and the creation of her "fascicles," handmade books containing her poetry. The chapter analyzes the period where she produced a significant portion of her poems, marking a crucial stage in her literary development. This period highlights Emily's intense creative period and the impact of prominent figures on her life and poetry.
EMILY BECOMES A RECLUSE: This chapter addresses the later years of Emily Dickinson's life, marking the period of her increasing seclusion. It describes the deaths of her father and mother and explores the reasons for her withdrawal from public life. The chapter emphasizes the shift in her lifestyle and its potential impact on her writing. The chapter presents the transition to her later years and the challenges she faced during this time, providing insight into the causes of her reclusive lifestyle.
"CALLED BACK": This chapter explores the publication of Dickinson's poems after her death, focusing on the role of individuals like Higginson and the process of bringing her work to the public. It analyzes the eventual recognition of her talent and the impact of her published poems on the literary world. The chapter highlights the significant role played by individuals in bringing Dickinson’s work to prominence after her death, demonstrating the journey from obscurity to critical acclaim.
THE “RENAISSANCE”: This chapter details the resurgence of interest in Emily Dickinson's work in the mid-20th century and the subsequent recognition of her literary significance. It discusses the publication of her original poems and the inclusion of the Homestead in the National Historic Register. This chapter explains the lasting impact of Dickinson’s work and its place in American literary history, further exploring how her legacy continues to this day.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Emily Dickinson, Amherst, Massachusetts, family, Homestead, poetry, fascicles, reclusiveness, correspondence, 19th-century America, literary history, posthumous recognition, Amherst Academy, Amherst College, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, Thomas Higginson, Samuel Bowles, Susan Huntington Gilbert Dickinson.
Emily Dickinson: A Biographical Overview - FAQ
What is this text about?
This text provides a comprehensive biographical overview of Emily Dickinson's life, exploring her family history, community context, poetic career, relationships, and posthumous recognition. It offers chapter summaries, key themes, and keywords to facilitate a structured analysis of her life.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes: Introduction; Samuel Dickinson and “The Homestead”; The Family; North Pleasant Street Residence; Return to the “Homestead”; The Productive Years; Emily Becomes a Recluse; "Called Back"; and The “Renaissance”. Each section delves into specific periods and aspects of Emily Dickinson's life.
What are the main objectives and key themes of this text?
The text aims to provide a biographical overview of Emily Dickinson's life within her family, community, and historical context. Key themes include her family history, the influence of her upbringing, the development of her poetic career, her significant relationships, and her posthumous literary recognition.
What does each chapter summarize?
Each chapter summary offers a concise overview of a specific period in Emily Dickinson's life. For example, the "Samuel Dickinson and “The Homestead” chapter focuses on her grandfather's influence, while "The Productive Years" details her most prolific writing period. Other chapters explore her family dynamics, education, increasing reclusiveness, and the eventual recognition of her work after her death.
What are the key events in Emily Dickinson's life highlighted in this text?
Key events include her birth, upbringing in Amherst, Massachusetts, education at Amherst Academy and Mount Holyoke Seminary, her family's prominent role in Amherst society, her move to the Homestead, her prolific writing period, her increasing seclusion, the deaths of her parents, the posthumous publication of her poems, and the eventual recognition of her literary significance.
Who are some of the important figures mentioned in relation to Emily Dickinson's life?
Important figures include her grandfather, Samuel Fowler Dickinson; her parents, Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson; her siblings, Austin and Lavinia; Charles Wadsworth, Thomas Higginson, and Samuel Bowles, who influenced her life and work; and Susan Huntington Gilbert Dickinson.
What is the significance of the "Homestead" in Emily Dickinson's life?
The Homestead served as the Dickinson family home and was a central location in Emily Dickinson's life. Its construction and significance are explored, illustrating the family's prominent position in Amherst society and its lasting impact on Emily's life and the text's narrative.
What is meant by Emily Dickinson's "fascicles"?
The text refers to "fascicles" as handmade books containing Emily Dickinson's poetry. These were created during her most prolific writing period, highlighting her meticulous nature and the unique way she preserved her work.
What is the significance of the "Renaissance" chapter?
The "Renaissance" chapter explores the renewed interest and recognition of Emily Dickinson's literary significance in the mid-20th century, discussing the publication of her original poems and the inclusion of the Homestead in the National Historic Register. It highlights the lasting impact of her work and its enduring place in American literary history.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include Emily Dickinson, Amherst, Massachusetts, family, Homestead, poetry, fascicles, reclusiveness, correspondence, 19th-century America, literary history, posthumous recognition, Amherst Academy, Amherst College, Samuel Fowler Dickinson, Thomas Higginson, Samuel Bowles, and Susan Huntington Gilbert Dickinson.
- Quote paper
- Kathrin Haubold (Author), 2001, Emily Dickinson's life and poetry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/16532
